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Monday, November 22, 2010

Have you ever experienced rejection? -- Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" - Mark 15:33-34

Have you ever experienced rejection? Many of us have been rejected by the opposite sex (probably many times!). Maybe you've been rejected for a job or promotion. Worse, maybe you were rejected by your parents and have had to deal with that pain for years. Or maybe you have experienced deep bouts of loneliness. Something happens to your body and your soul when you feel rejected. Well,Jesus experienced the ultimate pain you could ever imagine: He was rejected not only by the crowds of people, but by God, Himself.

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"Jesus cried out with a loud voice as He hung on the cross. He was experiencing the absolute worst rejection possible: God had turned His back onJesus. But Jesus had you in mind. He had to experience God's rejection in order to take on your sin, defeat it, and give you eternal life.

And Jesus not only defeated sin; He defeated our sins as well. You see, we may be forgiven of our sin, but our sins still cause pain. Living the Christian life day by day isn't a bed of roses; life is difficult and full of pain. But everything that you have gone through, He went through on the cross for you. He endured not only severe physical pain, but emotional pain and psychological anxiety. Imagine it. He hadn't been able to drink water. He was getting dehydrated. Depression comes in with that. He hadn't eaten a fresh meal. He hadn't been able to laugh. He was experiencing all these seemingly little things because He wanted to take every bit of pain that you have ever felt in your life -- pain that is caused by sin. He took on the consequences of our sins so that we can be healed.

Maybe you have been rejected by your family. He understands that. You've been lonely. He understands loneliness more than you think you understand loneliness. Maybe everything has started closing down in your mind and the options appear fewer and fewer -- your vision has become so myopic that you can't even think straight or see a way out. It's what somebody who is suicidal experiences. The devil starts lying to the person and they perceive that they are lonely, rejected, and depressed... and the mind just shuts down. If that ever happens to you, God forbid that you should ever get into a place like that, look to Jesus! You don't need to run to cocaine, to drinking, or anything else to sooth it. Jesus experienced this dark hour way before you ever did. He knows the failure. He knows the rejection. He understands, and He can heal you.

Don't lose heart if you're feeling like giving up. Jesus Christ has paid the price for your sin and for your pain. Give (or re-give) your life to Him and let Him fill you with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for your life. Jesus Christ is the only way, truth, and life. If you're dealing with depression, or loneliness, or bitterness, or anger, talk to your pastor and get some help. If you desire, simply reply to thislink and cry out for help; we're here to help you, and Jesus wants to help you right now, right this minute. Don't think you can overcome stuff on your own. You need Jesus to overcome everything. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, being rejected by God. You can trust Him with your life!